For the 2024 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup match versus Japan and the Northern Tour, the All Blacks have made three injury-forced roster changes.
Due to injuries, Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb), Dalton Papali’i (upper hamstring), and Ethan Blackadder (calf) will not be able to travel with the team on Thursday. This has made it possible for Josh Lord, a 23-year-old lock for the Chiefs and Taranaki, and Peter Lakai, a 21-year-old loose forward for the Hurricanes and Wellington, to join the team.
“Ethan, Luke, and Dalton are quite disappointed by this, but we know they will be working hard to heal so they can be accessible as soon as possible.
In addition, seven members of the All Blacks XV squad will be travelling to Japan with the All Blacks as training cover:
Forwards (Position / Age / Super Rugby Club / Province)
Bradley Slater (Hooker / 26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
George Bower (Prop / 32 / Crusaders / Otago)
Fabian Holland (Lock / 21 / Highlanders / Otago)
Christian Lio-Willie (Loose forward / 26 / Crusaders / Otago)
Oliver Haig (Loose forward / 22 / Highlanders / Otago)
Backs
Harry Plummer (First five-eighth / 26 / Blues / Auckland)
AJ Lam (Mid-fielder / 26 / Blues / Auckland)
These players will then join the All Blacks XV squad in Ireland, with the possible exception of one further call-up to cover the 36th spot in the All Blacks squad.
“We will assess the status of Ethan, Luke and Dalton’s injuries prior to travelling to England, to determine whether we are going to require that additional injury cover,” Robertson said.
The upcoming fixtures for the All Blacks are as follows:
Saturday 26 October- All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50PM (NZST), Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Sunday 03 November – All Blacks vs England, 4.10AM (NZST), Twickenham Stadium, London
Saturday 09 November – All Blacks vs Ireland, 9.10AM (NZST), Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 17 November – All Blacks vs France, 9.10AM (NZST), Stade de France, Paris
Sunday 24 November – All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10AM (NZST), Allianz Stadium, Turin